WILLEMSTAD – The Openbaar Ministerie Curaçao will once again apply a strict enforcement policy during the Carnival parades under the slogan “Aktua Robes, Sinti’é un Bes”. This means that violations will not be met with warnings: police will intervene immediately.
Carnival revelers are required to comply with clear rules along the parade routes. The sale of beverages in glass bottles is prohibited, and vehicles may not be parked near entrances and exits of buildings or at bus stops. Cars parked illegally risk being towed at the owner’s expense.
Additional rules include a ban on placing children on crowd-control barriers and playing music after a parade has officially ended.
According to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the zero-tolerance approach has proven effective in recent years. During the Carnival parades in 2023 and 2024, between 55 and 60 people were arrested each year. In 2025, that number dropped to 31—nearly half as many. Justice authorities view this decline as confirmation that swift and visible enforcement helps prevent disturbances.
Police will enforce regulations under several laws, including the firearms act, traffic legislation and the opium ordinance, as well as rules related to public order and identification requirements. For assistance during the parades, the emergency number 915 will be available from two hours before until two hours after each event. Additional police posts will be set up at Plaza Hariri, Colon and near the viaduct.
Authorities are calling on the public to cooperate and follow the rules to ensure that Carnival remains safe and enjoyable for everyone.